Parents say

Kids say

A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this website.

Educational Value

Kids can learn to play a musical instrument and to improve their singing voice in a number of styles, and they can learn music theory. They'll communicate online with a professional musician to work on skills and persevere as they practice between lessons to meet agreed-upon goals. Lessonface is a convenient, well-designed, and fun way to gain musical knowledge for kids and families.

Positive Messages

Kids will learn the importance of music as well as the pleasure of learning and playing with others.

Violence

Sex

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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Lessonface is a website that offers live online music lessons to students of all ages and levels. All the major instruments are represented, as are some unique choices such as the dulcimer and didgeridoo. Teachers approved to instruct kids have gone through background checks, but you're welcome to "sit in" on your kid's lesson by either being in the same room or watching from a webcam. The site also is COPPA-compliant, so parents will need to create accounts for any kids under 13.

User Reviews

What's it about?

LESSONFACE offers online music lessons in real time, with a real person. You'll create an account in a sidebar box, first choosing an instrument; they have lessons in everything from accordion to ukulele, as well as vocal options and digital-creation tools. Then decide your skill level: beginner, intermediate, "pro-to-pro," or under 18 (kids under 13 must have a parent create an account for them), as well as providing a name and email address. The "Find Your Teacher" tab allows you to further search teachers by price, day of the week availability, and a few other filters. Once you've chosen a teacher and time (some offer trial lessons), click "Book Lesson." Before your first lesson, you'll download a Skype-like video-chat program that allows you to work with your teacher in real time using your computer's webcam. Lessons vary in time from 30 minutes to an hour, and teachers may assign practice or activities to work on between lessons.

Is it any good?

If your child is set on learning to play the euphonium or clawhammer banjo, but local lessons aren't available, you can look to Lessonface for an expert teacher. The selection of instruments is outstanding, and high school students preparing for college can study with a Juilliard-trained teacher to prep them for auditions. The cost is around what you might pay for a local lesson (that is to say, it'snot cheap), but Lessonface also offers group lessons at a lower cost.

Considering all the challenges live lessons for kids present, privacy-wise, Lessonface seems to have its bases covered, with lots of options for parents to communicate with teachers and know exactly what's going on in each lesson if they like. If your family is already shuttling kids around to lots of activities, Lessonface would be a nice way to simplify your schedule, as it allows kids to take a lesson right in the living room.

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